Portable hair wash sink attachment

ABSTRACT

A portable hair wash sink attachment having a board section and a neck yoke section. The board section can be attached to the front wall of a sink basin and extends outwardly and upwardly therefrom. The yoke section can slide along the board and fits around the neck of a user whose hair is being washed. The front of the yoke section includes a dish which is placed under the chin of the user so that any drainage which does not fall directly on the board is collected in the dish, channels being provided for allowing the drainage collected by the dish to flow to the board, and then down the board and into the sink.

0 United States Patent 1191 1111 3,731,325

Guarrasi 1 1 May 8, 1973 154 PORTABLE HAIR WASH SINK 2,451,653 10/1948 Bazclon ..4/1s9 HMENT 2,494,957 1 1950 Morgan ..4 1s9 3,244,387 4 1966 H' t'l .4 l5) X [76] inventor: Joseph S. Guarrasi, 39 Buckingham gravest: d

Road Brooklyn 261 Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis [221 Filed: Apr. 21, 1971 AlmrneyEdward F. Levy [21] Appl. No.: 136,025 ABSTRACT [52] U s 4/59 A portable hair wash sink attachment having a board 51 11ir. c1. X47irif2 leiii35/00 Swim and a neck Yoke The Ward [58] Field orseiirch ..4/159 7" 248/205 R be attached Sink basin and 248/76 extends outwardly and upwardly therefrom. The yoke section can slide along the board and fits around the [56] References cu neck of a user whose hair is being washed. The front of the yoke section includes a dish which is placed UNITED STATES PATENTS I under the 'chin of the user so that any drainage which 2 087 843 7/1937 Goodrich ..4 159 directly bard is in 3:579:656 5/1971 Guarrasi ..4/159 dish, channels being Provided for allowing the 1,627,734 5ll 927 Gavaza ..248/79 drainage collected by the dish to flow to the board, 2,592,053 4/1952 Megla and then down the board and into the sink. 2,705,495 4/1955 Vrana et al... 1,617,537 Morin ..4/l59 9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEDW' 81915 3.731.325

INVENTOR. JOSEPH S-GUARRASI ATTORNEY PORTABLE HAIR WASH SINK ATTACHMENT This invention relates to hair wash devices, and more particularly to a portable hair wash sink attachment.

A rather common, messy hygienic chore is the washing of one s hair when not taking a bath or shower. Typically, an individual who wants his hair washed will bend over a sink and another person will wash his hair. A hose may be attached to the sink faucet and a spray nozzle at the other end of the hose may be used to rinse the hair. Water which drips down from the hair is collected in the sink. Many persons find the experience of bending over a sink for several minutes while having one s hair washed to be very uncomfortable.

It is known to provide portable hair wash sinks for bed-ridden patients. A particularly advantageous portable hair wash sink is disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 800,926, filed on Feb. 20, 1969 and entitled PORTABLE HAIR WASH SINK. When this sink is used, although the head and shoulders of a patient must be raised, he may remain on his back in a reclining position. The sink includes a basin to receive drainage and a waste reservoir directly therebeneath in which the drainage can be stored. Extending outwardly and upwardly from the front wall of the sink basin are a pair of shoulder boards which are designed to fit comfortably around the head and neck of the patient. A neck rest portion may be detachably secured to the shoulder boards, and when it is secured, the shoulder boards, neck rest, and front wall of the sink basin form a yoke-like structure surrounding and supporting the neck and head of the user. The boards and neck rest are dish-shaped so that as drainage comes from the hair and head of the user it is caught within the dished boards and neck rest. Since the boards and neck rest extend angularly upward from the sink basin, the drainage is returned directly to the sink basin. There is also provided a water supply chamber having pressurizing means associated therewith, as well as a spray hose. (The aforesaid sink unit, as well as the attachment of the present invention, may also be made in the form of a toy accessory to be used by children in washing the hair of dolls.)

Although the portable hair wash sink disclosed in my copending application is particularly advantageous for use with bed-ridden patients, many healthy individuals find it more comfortable to bend backwards in a similar manner over a sink when they have their hair washed. However, while this position is more comfortable to some, there is a greater likelihood of water dripping outside the sink area. This is due to the fact that most people cannot lean backward as far as they can lean forward.

It is a principle object of the present invention to provide a hair wash sink attachment which can be secured to an ordinary sink and which fits comfortably around the neck of a user when he bends backward slightly to I allow drainage from the head and hair of the user into the sink basin without spillage on the user or the surrounding environment.

Briefly, in accordance with the principles of my invention, I provide a board section which has a pair of retainer slats extending downward therefrom for attachment to the front wall of a sink basin. When attached to the sink basin, the board extends outwardly and upwardly from the front wall. Two upstanding walls along the sides of the board are provided so that any water which drips into the board flows down into the sink basin. At the forward end of the board there is a curved edge for receiving the back of the neck of the user.

A neck yoke section is provided which, together with the curved edge of the board, provides a yoke-like structure surrounding and supporting the neck and head of the user. The board includes two guides for allowing the neck yoke to slide along the board in a direction toward and away from the sink. The neck yoke includes a dish-shaped portion which is placed under the chin of the user, the channels on either side of the neck yoke allow water in the dish-shaped portion to flow onto the board and then into the sink basin. The board and neck yoke thus catch all of the drainage from the hair and head of the user while at the same time maintaining him in a comfortable position and providing firm support. The sink wash attachment can be used with any conventional sink, requires a minimum of storage space, is portable and cheap to manufacture, and is therefore of great utility.

It is a feature of my invention to provide a drain board which can be secured to the front wall of a sink basin in such a way that the board extends outwardly and upwardly from the front wall of the sink basin.

It is another feature of my invention to provide a curved edge at the forward end of the board for placement therein of the back of the neck of a user.

It is another feature of my invention to provide a neck yoke capable of sliding movement relative to the board for forming, together with the curved edge of the board, yoke-like structure surrounding and supporting the neck and head of the user.

It is still another feature of my invention to provide the yoke with a dish which fits underneath the chin of the user and drainage channels for allowing the dish to communicate to the board.

Further objects, features and advantages of my invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the illustrative embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken through the line 1-1 of FIG. 1 and further shows the hair wash sink attachment in use.

Referring to the drawing, the hair wash sink attachment consists of two parts board section 12 and yoke section 14. The board includes a main fiat section 12a having a curved forward edge 12g. Two walls 12b, 12c extend upward from the board so that any water on the board drains down into the sink basin. At the bottom of the board there are two downwardly extending retainer slats 12d, l2e which fit over the front wall of a sink basin 10. The two elements 12d, l2e are attached to board 12a at an angle so that when the entire unit is secured to the sink basin, the board slopes at an upward angle away from the forward edge of the sink.

The top of board is provided with two guides l2f,'

12g for containing sides 14b, of yoke 14 while at the same time allowing the yoke to be moved toward and away from the sink.

The yoke section includes two sides 14b, 14, a rear bridge 14a, and a forward, arcuate, dish-shaped ele ment 14]". Two channels 14d, 14e extend along side sec tions 14b, 14c and allow any water collected in dish 14f to flow downward through the channels, onto the sides 14b, 14c, and then along board 12a into the sink. FIG. 2 shows water 18 in dish 14f flowing out of channel i4e.

It is apparent that the forward edge 12g of board section 12, and the inner walls of sides 14b, 14c and dish 14f of yoke section 14, define a region through which the head of the user can move. After the board is attached to the sink basin, the yoke is pulled forward so that a user can move into the position shown in H6. 2 with the back of his neck resting against edge 12g. Yoke section 14 is then pushed back to the position shown in FIG. 2. Drainage from the hair and head of the user either falls directly onto board section ll2a and then into the sink basin, or into dish-shaped section 14f, and then through channels 14d, Me to board section 12a. With the neck yoke in its operative position of FIG. 2, it extends around the front of the users head, forming a snug, but comfortable catch for any liquid dripping from the chin or forward portion of the head, and directing this waste liquid to board 12a and then downwardly into the sink basin. The user cannot only have his hair washed while he remains in a comfortable position, but there is also little likelihood of water dripping to the floor.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it is to be understood that this embodiment is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications may be made therein and other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable hair wash sink attachment comprising a board section having a curved forward edge for containing the back of the neck of a user, means attached to the underside of the board for attaching the board to the front wall of a sink basin such that the board extends upwardly and outwardly therefrom with said curved edge being positioned in front of the front wall of said sink basin, separate neck yoke section having a forward portion of arcuate configuration and sized to extend around the front of the neck of the user as a continuation of said board to receive drainage from the head of the user and direct said drainage onto said board and thence to said basin, and means for slidably mounting said neck yoke section on the upper surface of said board section with said arcuate forward portion facing the curved forward edge of said board section to define a neck opening therewith, said neck yoke section being selectively slidable on said board section to adjust the size of said neck opening to accommodate the neck of the user.

2. A portable hair wash sink attachment in accordance with claim 1 wherein the forward portion of said neck yoke section comprises a curved dish for placement under the chin of a user and channel means for allowing water collected in said dish to flow onto said board, said neck yoke section also including a pair of flat side members integral with said curved dish and extending rearwardly therefrom.

3. A portable hair wash sink attachment in accordance with claim 2 wherein said mounting means includes a air of guides on top of said board section for allowing e pair of flat side members of said neck yoke section to slide therebetween along said board section in a direction toward and away from said sink basin.

4. A portable hair wash sink attachment in accordance with claim 3 wherein said board section comprises a flat tray having upstanding walls along the sides thereof.

5. A portable hair wash sink attachment in accordance with claim 4 wherein said board attaching means is a pair of flat retainer slats extending downwardly from said board section and spaced apart for accommodating the front wall of a sink basin therebetween, said retainer slats being attached to the underside of said board section and depending therefrom at an angle to the plane of said board section such that when said retainer slats are placed on the front wall of a sink basin said board section is positioned such that it slopes upwardly and outwardly from said sink basin.

6. A portable hair wash sink attachment in accordance with claim 2 wherein said board attaching means is a pair of flat retainer slats extending downwardly from said board section and spaced apart for accommodating the front wall of a sink basin therebetween, said retainer slats being attached to the underside of said board section and depending therefrom at an angle to the plane of said board section such that when said retainer slats are placed on the front wall of a sink basin said board section is positioned such that it slopes upwardly and outwardly from said sink basin.

7. A portable hair wash sink attachment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said board section comprises a flat tray having upstanding walls along the sides thereof.

8. A portable hair wash sink attachment in accordance with claim 7 wherein said board attaching means is a pair of retainer slats extending downwardly from said board section and spaced apart for accommodating the front wall of a sink basin therebetween, said retainer slats being attached to the underside of said board section and depending therefrom at an angle to the plane of said board section such that when said retainer slats are placed on the front wall of a sink basin said board section is positioned such that it slopes upwardly and outwardly from said sink basin.

9. A portable hair wash sink attachment in accordance with claim 2 wherein said channel means comprises a pair of enclosed channels communicating with the ends of said curved dish and opening upon the flat side members of said neck yoke section. 

1. A portable hair wash sink attachment comprising a board section having a curved forward edge for containing the back of the neck of a user, means attached to the underside of the board for attaching the board to the front wall of a sink basin such that the board extends upwardly and outwardly therefrom with said curved edge being positioned in front of the front wall of said sink basin, separate neck yoke section having a forward portion of arcuate configuration and sized to extend around the front of the neck of the user as a continuation of said board to receive drainage from the head of the user and direct said drainage onto said board and thence to said basin, and means for slidably mounting said neck yoke section on the upper surface of said board section with said arcuate forward portion facing the curved forward edge of said board section to define a neck opening therewith, said neck yoke section being selectively slidable on said board section to adjust the size of said neck opening to accommodate the neck of the user.
 2. A portable hair wash sink attachment in accordance with claim 1 wherein the forward portion of said neck yoke section comprises a curved dish for placement under the chin of a user and channel means for allowing water collected in said dish to flow onto said board, said neck yoke section also including a pair of flat side members integral with said curved dish and extending rearwardly therefrom.
 3. A portable hair wash sink attachment in accordance with claim 2 wherein said mounting means includes a pair of guides on top of said board section for allowing the pair of flat side members of said neck yoke section to slide therebetween along said board section in a direction toward and away from said sink basin.
 4. A portable hair wash sink attachment in accordance with claim 3 wherein said board section comprises a flat tray having upstanding walls along the sides thereof.
 5. A portable hair wash sink attachment in accordance with claim 4 wherein said board attaching means is a pair of flat retainer slats extending downwardly from said board section and spaced apart for accommodating the front wall of a sink basin therebetween, said retainer slats being attached to the underside of said board section and depending therefrom at an angle to the plane of said board section such that when said retainer slats are placed on the front wall of a sink basin said board section is positioned such that it slopes upwardly and outwardly from said sink basin.
 6. A portable hair wash sink attachment in accordance with claim 2 wherein said board attaching means is a pair of flat retainer slats extending downwardly from said board section and spaced apart for accommodating the front wall of a sink basin therebetween, said retainer slats being attached to the underside of said board section and depending therefrom at an angle to the plane of said board section such that when said retainer slats are placed on the front wall of a sink basin said board section is positioned such that it slopes upwardly and outwardly from said sink basin.
 7. A portable hair wash sink attachment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said board section comprises a flat tray having upstanding walls along the sides thereof.
 8. A portable hair wash sink attachment in accordance with claim 7 wherein said board attaching means is a pair of retainer slats extending downwardly from said board section and spaced apart for accommodating the front wall of a sink basin therebetween, said retainer slats being attached to the underside of said board section and depending therefrom at an angle to the plane of said board section such that when said retainer slats are placed on the front wall of a sink basin said board section is positioned such that it slopes upwardly and outwardly from said sink basin.
 9. A portable hair wash sink attachment in accordance with claim 2 wherein said channel means comprises a pair of enclosed channels communicating with the ends of said curved dish and opening upon the flat side members of said neck yoke section. 